Identifying features of screening approaches for people at increased risk of colorectal cancer

February 8, 2021

Learn from national and international clinical guidelines and from a jurisdictional analysis of screening approaches

There is a gap in colorectal cancer screening programs to systematically identify individuals with increased risk of developing this cancer.

Consequently, individuals at increased risk may not be receiving timely referrals to screening or follow-up according to established guidelines.

To help fill this gap, a Partnership-funded, 30-day rapid synthesis from McMaster University summarized research evidence from the following:

• Recent recommendations on screening approaches from national and international clinical practice guidelines
• A jurisdictional analysis of screening programs that have implemented a management system for people with an increased risk of colorectal cancer; countries included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and select health systems in the US

The findings were as follows:

• From national and international clinical practice guidelines:
  • Fourteen clinical practice guidelines were identified with consistency among screening approaches and definitions of increased colorectal cancer risk.
• From the jurisdictional analysis:
  • Provinces and territories across Canada have implemented formal and informal processes for identifying and managing patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer, however, there is limited public information on the specific features of screening approaches.
  • Other countries have variable approaches to stratify colorectal cancer risk; however, there is limited public information on tools and approaches for collecting information on personal and family history.

Findings from this rapid synthesis are currently being used in Manitoba to better identify and manage patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer as part of their screening program.

Read the full article Identifying features of screening approaches for people at increased risk of colorectal cancer.